Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) announced Sept. 18 that John Ross, current president of Inmar Promotion Network, will become president and CEO of IGA Inc., succeeding current IGA Chairman, President and CEO Mark Batenic, in mid-October. Ross will work closely during the transition with Batenic, who will remain chairman of the board until his retirement on […]
Tag: National
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Whole Foods
Consumers Continue To Choose Physical Over Digital For Groceries
Consumers have a variety of options when it comes to buying groceries, and they continue to choose physical grocery stores to make their purchases. That’s according to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) recently released “The State of Grocery Shopping” survey, which found that 99 percent of adults buy some or all of their […]
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, National, Whole Foods
Study Finds Store Employees Extremely Important To Millennials
ChargeItSpot, a provider of cell phone charging stations for retailers, events and other indoor public venues, has released the results of its “Store Associate Report.” The study asked consumers for their thoughts and feelings on the value of store employees at retail locations. ChargeItSpot collected responses from more than 600 shoppers at malls across the […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National, Women In The News
Starbucks Taps Former Sam’s Club Exec As Group President And COO
Starbucks Corp. has appointed Rosalind Brewer group president and COO, effective Oct. 2. Brewer, former president and CEO of Sam’s Club and current Starbucks board member, has more than 30 years of management experience and more than 10 years of experience leading multi-national retailers. “Starbucks is a culture-first company focused on performance, and Roz is […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, National, Organic Natural, Whole Foods
Study: Organic Food Trends Broadening Competition For Natural Grocers
Americans’ perennial enthusiasm for all things health and wellness is expressed in the food they consume, and natural and organic retailers are often at the forefront of meeting this demand, says Packaged Facts. The market intelligence company has published national consumer survey data in its new report “Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Natural Channel Grocery […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National, Produce News
Senator Jeff Flake To Keynote United Fresh Washington Conference
Arizona Senator Jeff Flake will serve as the opening keynote breakfast speaker at the annual United Fresh Washington Conference, Tuesday, Sept. 19. At a time of heightened political uncertainty in Washington, D.C., Senator Flake has become an outspoken voice on the need for compromise, civility and commitment to conservative values in our national government, says […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers
Hallmark Partners With Funny Or Die For New Card Collection
Hallmark’s Shoebox brand is launching a new collection of greeting cards developed in partnership with the comedy brand Funny Or Die. Funny Or Die collaborated with the creative team at Hallmark to develop designs and editorial for 24 cards. Earlier this year, the cards were displayed on Funny Or Die’s website for fans to vote for their favorites. Hallmark […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News
Study Discredits ‘Retail Apocalypse’ As Retailers Opening 4,000+ Stores
U.S. retailers are opening 4,080 more stores in 2017 than they are closing and plan to open more than 5,500 more in 2018, according to a new research report from IHL Group. The report, “Debunking the Retail Apocalypse,” was released Aug. 30 and is available for free download here. The research reviewed more than 1,800 retail chains […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News, Whole Foods
UPDATED: Amazon/Whole Foods Merger Will Close Monday; Industry Leaders Respond
Updated 8/25/17 11:36 a.m. Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods Market will close on Monday August 28, 2017, and the two companies will “together pursue the vision of making Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food affordable for everyone.” Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples […]
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology
Walmart Expands Delivery Pilot, Partners With Google Assistant
Walmart is stepping up its online ordering and delivery programs. The retailer is expanding its home delivery pilot program to Dallas and Orlando, and is partnering with Google to offer voice shopping via Google Assistant. See statements from Mike Turner, VP of ecommerce operations, and Marc Lore, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. ecommerce, below. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National
NGA Hires VP Of Government Relations And Counsel
Christopher Jones, former legislative director and counsel for U.S. Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Nutrition Subcommittee, is joining the National Grocers Association (NGA). He will serve as VP and counsel for the government relations department at NGA, which represents the independent supermarket industry. Jones will oversee the association’s […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News, Whole Foods
Walmart Reports Strongest Food Comp Jump In Five Years, GMV Up 69 Percent
Walmart reported today that it continued to gain traction in both food sales and its e-commerce business in its second quarter. Walmart U.S. traffic increased 1.3 percent and comparable-store sales grew 1.8 percent. It marks Walmart’s 12th consecutive quarter of positive comp sales. “The grocery business continued to improve as food categories delivered the strongest […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Home Page Latest News, National
ICSC Survey Finds Low Prices Raise Customer Loyalty
The competition for the consumer wallet is more intense than ever as consumers are setting the agenda for retailers and brands. An International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) survey on brand loyalty has found that the majority of U.S. adults are loyal to both product brands (82 percent) and retailers (84 percent). Driving loyalty to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Center Store, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Merchandising News, National, New Products, Snacks Brands, Specialty, Suppliers
NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo Breaks Records
The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo, hosted by the National Confectioners Association, set an all-time attendance record for the second consecutive year as more than 18,000 industry professionals from nearly 90 countries were welcomed to McCormick Place to experience the latest trends and innovations in the candy and snack categories. Exhibitors grew nearly 6 percent, […]
Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Food Service News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National, Suppliers
Décorworx Aims To Help Independents Differentiate
by Terrie Ellerbee/editor–Midwest and Southwest Utah-based Décorworx creates beautiful shopping environments, and it has done so for humongous grocery and mass merchandise stores. But the whole dynamic of the company changed when a conscious decision was made to turn its focus to independent grocers, Jeff Dansie, president and owner, tells The Shelby Report. “We […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News
Whole Foods Closing Nine Stores In Five Regions
Whole Foods Market said during its earnings call Wednesday that it will close nine stores in the second quarter. According to John Mackey, co-founder and CEO, the company has been moderating its lease signings and capital expenditures over the last two years. “We are also continually evaluating stores on a case-by-case basis, balancing the age, […]
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Supervalu’s 2Q Earnings Reflect Continued ‘Transformation’
Supervalu today reported second quarter fiscal 2017 consolidated net sales of $3.87 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $30 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which included a net $2 million after-tax gain, comprised of a fee received from a supply agreement termination, partially offset by store closure charges and costs as well […]
Posted in, Bakery News, Beverage News, Center Store, Corporate Store News, Dairy News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Organic Natural, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Senate To Hold Final Vote On Compromise GMO Labeling Bill
On July 6, the U.S. Senate voted 65-32 to end debate and have a final vote on bipartisan national legislation regarding the disclosure of genetically engineered ingredients in food products. The compromise bill, S. 764, was championed by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan). It includes reforms to […]
Posted in, Food Service News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, Suppliers
Baker: FMI Connect Will Continue To Adapt As Industry Needs Change
As the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) brings together food retailers and manufacturers for its FMI Connect conference each year, it adjusts the offerings as industry needs change, just as grocers adapt to meet the evolving needs of their shoppers. This year, for example, FMI Connect’s “Supermarket Chefs,” a two-day immersion experience for culinary professionals, replaced […]
Posted in, BJ's Wholesale Club, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Perishables, Suppliers
Perdue Foods’ Plan Puts The Focus Back On Animal Care
Perdue Foods Chairman Jim Perdue said Monday that the company is refocusing on animal care with a four-part plan that also will strengthen relationships with farmers, build trust with multiple stakeholder groups and create an animal care culture for continued improvement. Titled “2016 and Beyond: Next Generation of Perdue Commitments to Animal Care,” the plan […]